Mobile communication device having multiple independent optimized physical layers

ABSTRACT

A system and method in a mobile communication device for providing and/or utilizing multiple independent optimized physical layers to provide communication services. As a non-limiting example, a mobile communication device may comprising a first PHY layer comprising first circuitry operable to provide any of at least a first plurality of communication services through one or more types of communication network, and a second PHY layer comprising second circuitry operable, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide at least one communication service through one or more types of communication network. For example, operation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in a first manner for providing a first communication service of the first plurality of communication services and optimizable in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is related to and claims priority fromprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/886,048 filed Jan. 22, 2007,and titled “MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE INDEPENDENTOPTIMIZED PHYSICAL LAYERS,” the contents of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mobile communication device may be adapted to communicate over aplurality of communication networks. A mobile communication device maybe adapted to provide a plurality of different services through any orall of the plurality of communication networks. For example, a user of amobile communication device may utilize the communication device toprovide a first communication service or a second communication servicethrough a particular communication network.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method ina mobile communication device for providing and/or utilizing multipleindependent optimized physical layers to provide communication servicesto the user, substantially as shown in and/or described in connectionwith at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in theclaims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of thepresent invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communicationenvironment for a mobile communication device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating various communication layers inan exemplary mobile communication device, including one or moreindependent optimizable physical layers, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary physical layerreceiving circuitry, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary physical layertransmitting circuitry, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile communicationdevice, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary method, in a mobile communication device, forutilizing one or more optimizable physical layers to provide one or morecommunication services, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion will refer to various communication modules,components or circuits. Such modules, components or circuits maygenerally comprise hardware, software or a combination thereof.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited to particular hardware and/or softwareimplementations of a module, component or circuit.

The following discussion will also refer to communication networks. Forthe following discussion, a communication network is generally thecommunication infrastructure through which a mobile communication devicemay communicate. For example and without limitation, a communicationnetwork may comprise a cellular communication network, a wirelessmetropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN),a wireless personal area network (WPAN), etc. A particular communicationnetwork may, for example, generally have a corresponding communicationprotocol according to which a communication device may communicate withthe communication network. Unless so claimed, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited tocharacteristics of a particular type of communication network.

The following discussion will additionally refer to communicationservices. For the following discussion, a communication servicegenerally corresponds to the nature of the information beingcommunicated to and from a communication device through a communicationnetwork. For example and without limitation, a communication service maycorrespond to a voice communication service, a music communicationservice, a multi-media communication service, a video communicationservice, an email communication service, a data communication service, aworld-wide-web browsing communication service, an instant messagingcommunication service, etc. Unless so claimed, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited tocharacteristics of a particular type of communication service.

The following discussion will further refer to applications. Suchapplications may, for example, comprise software or firmwareinstructions that, when executed by a processor, perform variousfunctions corresponding to communication services. In various examples,a particular dedicated application may correspond to a particularcommunication service (e.g., a music playing application or a VoIPapplication). In various other examples, a particular application maycorrespond to a plurality of communication services (e.g., a multi-mediaapplication capable of providing audio and/or video communicationservices), which may, for example, be selected by a user.

As non-limiting examples, a user may utilize a mobile communicationdevice to provide a two-way voice communication service through acellular network (e.g., cellular telephony), a WLAN (e.g., voice over IPor VoIP), a WMAN, etc. Also for example, a user may utilize a mobilecommunication device to provide a music communication service to theuser (e.g., through audio data streaming) through a cellular network, aWLAN, a WMAN, a WPAN, etc. Further for example, a user may utilize amobile communication device to provide a two-way multi-mediacommunication service to the user through a cellular network, a WLAN, aWMAN, a WPAN, etc. Also for example, a user may utilize a mobilecommunication device to provide a video communication service to theuser (e.g., through video data streaming) through a cellular network, aWLAN, a WMAN, a WPAN, etc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communicationenvironment 100 for a mobile communication device. FIG. 1 illustratesthat a user may utilize a mobile communication device 105 to providevarious communication services through various communication networks.

The mobile communication device 105 (“MCD”), though illustrated with theform-factor of a cellular telephone, may comprise characteristics of anyof a variety of mobile communication devices. For example and withoutlimitation, the mobile communication device 105 may comprisecharacteristics of a cellular telephone, portable music player, portablevideo player, personal digital assistant, mobile email device, mobileweb browsing device, handheld computer with communication capability,portable navigation system, mobile Internet gaming device, etc.

The mobile communication device 105 is illustrated in FIG. 1 withmultiple (e.g., three) concurrent links to multiple respectivecommunication networks. For example, the mobile communication device 105may be communicating with a Cellular Network 130 via an RF link, a WMAN120 via an RF link, and a WLAN 110 via an RF link. Such links may, forexample, be maintained utilizing a plurality of independent PHY layersin the MCD 105. As will be discussed in more detail later, suchindependent PHY layers may be optimized for providing a particularcommunication service or for providing a particular communicationservice over a particular communication network (e.g., a particular typeof communication service over a particular type of communicationnetwork).

The mobile communication device 105, though illustrated utilizing RFlinks to the WLAN 110, WMAN 120 and Cellular Network 130, may utilizecommunication links through any of a variety of communication media. Forexample and without limitation, the mobile communication device 105 maycommunicate utilizing wireless RF, non-tethered optical, tetheredoptical or wired links.

Each of the illustrated networks (e.g., the WLAN 110, WMAN 120 andCellular Network 130) may be communicatively coupled to various othernetworks. In the non-limiting exemplary scenario, illustrated in FIG. 1,each of the illustrated networks 110-130 is communicatively coupled tothe Internet 140. For example, in a non-limiting exemplary scenariowhere a user is utilizing the mobile communication device 105 to providestreamed multi-media information to the user, the mobile communicationdevice 105 may utilize any of the illustrated networks 110-130 and theInternet 140 to request and receive such streamed multi-mediainformation from a provider of such information that is communicativelycoupled to the Internet 140.

FIG. 1 illustrates a non-exclusive set of various communication serviceproviders. For example and without limitation, a VoIP service provider160, instant message service provider 161, email service provider 162,music service provider 163, video conferencing service provider 164,weather service provider 165, movie service provider 166, news serviceprovider 167 and investment information provider 168 are illustratedcommunicatively coupled to the Internet 140. Note that variouscommunication service providers are not necessarily communicativelycoupled to the Internet 140 and may be communicatively coupled only toother networks. For example, a music providing service (or any othercommunication service) may be communicatively coupled directly to theCellular Network 130, WMAN 120 or WLAN 110 for more direct service.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communicationenvironment 100 for a mobile communication device 105. Various portionof FIG. 1 may be referred to directly or by inference in the followingdiscussion. Note that the exemplary communication environment 100 ismerely an illustrative tool. Thus, various features of the exemplarycommunication environment 100 should not be utilized to limit the scopeof various aspects of the present invention unless explicitly claimed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating various communication layers inan exemplary mobile communication device 200, including one or moreindependent optimizable physical layers, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The mobile communication device 200may, for example and without limitation, share any or allcharacteristics with the mobile communication device 105 illustrated inFIG. 1 and discussed previously.

The exemplary mobile communication device (“MCD”) 200 may comprise afirst PHY layer 210, a second PHY layer 220, PHY+Layers 230 and anApplication Layer 240. The first PHY Layer 210 may comprise FixedCircuitry 212 and Optimizable Circuitry 214. The second PHY Layer 220may comprise Fixed Circuitry 222 and Optimizable Circuitry 224. Thevarious protocol layers 210, 220, 230 and 240, and components thereof,are merely exemplary. For example, many alternative protocol stackarrangements and/or implementations thereof are within the scope ofvarious aspects of the invention.

As mentioned above, the first PHY layer 210 may be implemented utilizingvarious combinations of Fixed Circuitry 212 and Optimizable Circuitry214. The Fixed Circuitry 212 generally comprises PHY layer circuitry,the performance characteristics of which do not change between differentcommunication services. As a non-limiting example, a particularimplementation of a PHY layer may comprise a particular low-noiseamplifier (“LNA”) or band-pass filter (“BPF”) that correspond tocommunication with a particular type of communication network (e.g., anetwork based on IEEE 802.11, 802.16 or 802.22). Such exemplary LNA orBPF might operate the same for any communication service providedthrough the particular type of communication network. For example andwithout limitation, such exemplary LNA or BPF might operate the samewhether the mobile communication device 200 is providing a two-way voicecommunication service, a music providing service, a streaming videoservice, a text message service, an email service, a web-browsingservice, a first VoIP service type, a second VoIP service type or anyother communication service through the particular type of communicationnetwork.

Note that the previously mentioned LNA and BPF were merely illustrativeexamples. The exemplary scenario discussed above does not exclude LNAand BPF circuitry from being optimizable, versus fixed, when designed tobe so. Whether a particular circuit/module is optimizable or fixeddepends on particular circuit architecture. For example, in a firstexemplary PHY layer, a buffer might be fixed, and in a second exemplaryPHY layer, the same buffer or an analogous buffer might be optimizable.

The Optimizable Circuitry 214 generally comprises PHY layer circuitry,the performance characteristics of which may be optimized in accordancewith a particular communication service or type of particularcommunication service. The following discussion will present anon-exclusive set of examples of such Optimizable Circuitry. Note thatthe scope of various aspects of the present invention should not belimited to particular circuits unless claimed as such.

FIGS. 3 and 4 present non-exclusive examples of various PHY layercircuits or modules, which may be included in the first PHY layer 210and/or the second PHY layer 220. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustratingexemplary physical layer receiving circuitry 300, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagramillustrating exemplary physical layer transmitting circuitry 400, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Note that theexemplary receiving circuitry 300 and transmitting circuitry 400 isnon-exclusive, and various aspects of the present invention should notbe limited to such particular exemplary circuitry unless claimed assuch.

The exemplary physical layer receiving circuitry 300 may comprise an RFfront end 305 (e.g., including an antenna, RF switch bank, band-passfilter, low-noise amplifier, MIMO processing block, OFDM receivingblock, etc.). The exemplary PHY layer receiving circuitry 300 may alsocomprise an analog-to-digital converter 310, downconverter 320,downsampler/filter 325, FFT engine 330, demodulator/equalizer/correlator335, demodulator/combiner 340, deinterleaver/depuncturer 345, one ormore decoders 350 (e.g., a convolutional turbo decoder and/or Viterbidecoder), a buffer 355 (e.g., a channel buffer, H-ARQ memory/buffer,etc.), and a MAC/PHY interface 360. The exemplary PHY layer transmittingcircuitry 400 may comprise a MAC/PHY interface 405, buffering and framecontrol circuit 410, one or more encoders 415 (e.g., convolutionalencoders), a puncturer/interleaver 420, a symbol mapper 425, IFFT engine430, I/Q modulator 435, upsampler/filter 440, upconverter/filter 445,digital-to-analog converter 450 and RF front end 455 (e.g., includingMIMO processing circuitry or OFDM transmitting blocks, power amplifier,RF switch bank, etc.).

Various PHY layer circuits (e.g., of the previously-listed PHY layercircuits) may be optimizable for providing a particular communicationservice. The following examples represent a non-exclusive set ofexamples of such Optimizable Circuitry. For example, a PHY layer buffercircuit may be optimizable in length (or size) (e.g., where particularcommunication services operate optimally with different respectivebuffer lengths). For example, different communication services may havedifferent respective latency or Quality-of-Service (“QoS”) requirementsor power management profiles, resulting in different respective optimalPHY layer buffer lengths/size.

Also for example, PHY layer encoders and decoders may be optimizable intype or length/size (e.g., where particular communication servicesoperate optimally with different types or rates of encoders anddecoders). For example, a particular decoder (e.g., a Viterbi decoder)may operate at different rates, depending on the particularcommunication service being provided by the MCD 200.

Additionally for example, a PHY layer FFT or IFFT engine may beoptimizable in size and/or accuracy (e.g., where particularcommunication services have different rate and/or error-susceptibilityrequirements) For example, rate and/or error-rate requirements maydepend on the particular type of data being communicated with aparticular communication service (e.g., voice data requirements versusemail data requirements). Similarly, ADC and DAC converter circuitry maybe configured to operate with different degrees of accuracy and/orresolution depending on the particular communication service beingprovided by the MCD 200 (e.g., a voice communication service and a musiccommunication service might have different respective informationfidelity requirements).

Also for example, a PHY layer synchronization circuit may be optimizable(e.g., in periodicity and/or accuracy), for example, where particularcommunication services have different synchronization requirements). Forexample, synchronization requirements may depend on the particular typeof data being communicated with a particular communication service(e.g., voice data requirements versus video data requirements).

Further for example, PHY layer circuitry (e.g., buffers, signaldetectors, envelope detectors, etc.) may be optimized for power-saveoperation associated with a particular communication service. Forexample, running fixed PHY layer circuitry at an operation level goodenough for all communication services may result in wasted energy whenthe MCD 200 is providing a communication service that does not requiresuch a high-level of performance. In such cases, the performance (e.g.,in terms of accuracy and/or error rate) of an optimized PHY layercircuit may be reduced to conserve power while still providing thecurrent communication service at a desired level of performance.

In general, any of the PHY circuits illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, andother non-illustrated traditionally fixed-operation PHY circuitry, maybe optimized to provide a particular communication service. Note thatparticular aspects of PHY circuitry operation may be mandated by aparticular communication protocol (or air-interface specification), butgenerally, communication protocols allow room for the aforementioned PHYlayer communication-service-driven optimization. Accordingly, inparticular communication service scenarios, for example when aparticular communication service is being provided through a particularcommunication network, various optimization opportunities may beavailable or unavailable depending on the air interface specificationassociated with the particular communication network.

As discussed above, any of a variety of PHY layer circuits may beoptimized for providing a particular communication service. Optimizationof such circuitry is circuit-dependent and may be performed in a varietyof manners. For example and without limitation, for optimizationcontrol, any of the above-mentioned optimizable PHY layer circuits maycomprise a control interface, with which other circuitry (e.g.,circuitry performing optimization control) may communicate to governbehavior of the particular PHY layer circuits. Also for example, any ofthe above-mentioned optimizable PHY layer circuits may comprise controlregisters, which may be written to by other circuitry. Additionally forexample, any of the above-mentioned optimizable PHY layer circuits maycomprise operating state control circuitry (e.g., state machinecircuitry), the state of which may be affected by other circuitry.

Also, optimization flexibility features may be built into any of thepreviously mentioned Optimizable Circuitry. For example and withoutlimitation, any of the previously mentioned Optimizable Circuitry (e.g.,buffering, filtering, decoding and encoding circuitry) may bearchitected with a variable and controllable number of data cells. Suchflexibility may, for example, be utilized to adjust buffer/filterlength, data resolution, data processing accuracy, etc.

Also for example, any of the previously mentioned optimizable circuitsmay be architected with a plurality of selectable fixed circuit options(e.g., fixed circuits with particular lengths, speeds, resolutions,accuracies, etc.). Such fixed circuit options may then be selected byother circuitry (e.g., circuitry performing optimization control) inaccordance with a particular communication service being provided by theMCD 200. For example, one or more of a plurality of fixed buffercircuits may be inserted or removed from a signal processing stream inaccordance with desired optimized buffer length. Similarly, one or moreof a plurality of fixed filter circuits may be inserted or removed froma signal processing stream in accordance with desired optimized filterbehavior.

As mentioned previously, various optimizable PHY layer circuits may beconfigured and/or selected in accordance with a particular communicationservice being provided. Such optimization may be controlled entirely byPHY circuitry or may be controlled by higher layer circuitry. Forexample, such optimization may be controlled by the application layer(e.g., by a processor executing software or firmware instructions).

As discussed previously, an application may have a one-to-onecorrespondence with a particular communication service (e.g., music orVoIP) or a one-to-many correspondence with a plurality of communicationservices (e.g., multi-media options). Thus, an application may beconfigured to control various optimizable PHY circuit characteristics.For example, in a one-to-one scenario, during initiation of a particularapplication (e.g., a VoIP application) to provide a particularcommunication service to a user of the MCD 200, the application maycomprise communication service initialization instructions that, whenexecuted, cause various optimizations to occur in the optimizable PHYlayer circuitry. Also for example, in a one-to-many scenario, particularapplication routines or sub-routines associated with a particularcommunication service may comprise instructions that, when executed,cause various optimizations to occur in the optimizable PHY layercircuitry. In such an example, a single communication serviceapplication may cause any of a plurality of PHY layer optimizationsdepending on which communication service the application is presentlyproviding.

To enhance such application-based PHY layer optimization control, anapplication program interface (“API”) may be utilized. For example, anAPI may provide various interfaces (e.g., commands or invocablesubroutines) that an application may incorporate to effect PHY layeroptimization control. Such API may include instructions that, whenlinked with and/or compiled into a particular application, effectvarious elements of PHY layer circuit optimization. For example, anexecuted API instruction may cause one or more PHY layer circuitoptimization control signals to be generated, where such control signalsmay in turn cause operational changes in the PHY layer circuitry (e.g.,control register changes, state changes, signal routing changes, etc.).

As discussed above, in addition to being optimized to a particularcommunication service being provided by the MCD 200, various PHY layercircuits may also be optimized in accordance with the particularcommunication network through which the communication service is beingprovided. That is, various PHY layer circuits may be optimizable as afunction of the particular communication service/communication networkcombination.

As mentioned above, the first PHY layer 210 may be implemented utilizingvarious combinations of Fixed Circuitry 212 and Optimizable Circuitry214. The second PHY layer 220 may also be implemented utilizing variouscombinations of Fixed Circuitry 222 and Optimizable Circuitry 224.Alternatively, the second PHY layer 220 may, for example, be implementedutilizing Fixed Circuitry exclusively.

Though the exemplary MCD 200 is illustrated with only a first PHY later210 and a second independent PHY layer 220, the MCD 200 may alsocomprise three or more of such independent PHY layers.

As presented in FIG. 2, the first PHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer220 are independent. However, such independence is generallyfunctionally (or operationally) independent rather than structurallyindependent. The first PHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer 220 may becompletely architecturally independent, but alternatively may also sharevarious circuitry while maintaining functional independence. Note thatsuch functional independence provides for simultaneous (or concurrent)utilization of both of the first PHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer220.

For example, the first PHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer 220 mayshare one or more circuits. Such shared circuits may, for example, betime-shared between the first PHY layer 210 and second PHY layer 220 ina manner such that operation of the first PHY layer 210 does notsubstantially impact functionality of the second PHY layer 220 andvice-versa. As a non-limiting example, a decoder (e.g., a Viterbidecoder) may be time-shared between the first PHY layer 210 and thesecond PHY layer 220. As another non-limiting example, various antennacircuitry may be shared between the first PHY layer 210 and second PHYlayer 220. As yet another non-limiting example, various MAC/PHYinterface circuitry and/or an FFT engine may be shared between the firstPHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer 220 while maintaining theoperational independence of the first PHY layer 210 and the second PHYlayer 220.

The mobile communication device 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2 withvarious PHY+ layers 230. The PHY+ layers 230 may generally comprise anyof a variety of communication layers, depending on the particularcommunication stack(s) being implemented. For example, such layers mayinclude TCP/IP layers, OSI layers, etc. (e.g., Data Link Layer, MAClayer, Transport Layer, Network Layer, etc.).

The previous discussion focused on various optimizable PHY layercircuits. It should be noted that, in addition to PHY layer OptimizableCircuitry, various PHY+ layer circuits may also be optimizable. Forexample, various PHY+ layer circuits may be optimized in conjunctionwith the PHY layer optimizable circuits. As non-limiting examples, CODECcircuitry may be optimizable and/or assignable to particular PHY layers,either in real-time or non-real-time (e.g., in accordance with the needsof a particular communication service, for example, particular audio orvideo service). Operational performance of CODEC circuitry may also beoptimized in real-time in accordance with the needs of a particularcommunication service.

Also for example, power-saving features may be optimized in PHY+ layersas well as at the PHY layer. For example, particular power management(e.g., sleep mode) operational parameters may be optimized at the PHY+layers (e.g., sleep time intervals, wake trigger criteria, etc.).Various other signal processing circuitry (e.g., anti-jitter circuitry,echo cancellation circuitry, smart queuing circuitry, packetizingcircuitry, user interface circuitry, PHY+ communication protocolcircuitry, etc.) may also be optimized in addition to PHY layercircuitry.

The following discussion will further illustrate various aspects of thepresent invention by way of non-limiting illustrative exemplaryscenarios.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, the MCD 200 may comprising a firstPHY layer 210 comprising first circuitry (e.g., Fixed Circuitry 212 andOptimizable Circuitry 214) operable to provide any of at least a firstplurality of communication services through one or more types ofcommunication network, and a second PHY layer 220 comprising secondcircuitry (e.g., Fixed Circuitry 222 and/or Optimizable Circuitry 224)operable, independent of the first PHY layer 210, to provide at leastone communication service through one or more types of communicationnetwork. Operation of the first circuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry214) may, for example, be optimizable in a first manner for providing afirst communication service of the first plurality of communicationservices and optimizable in a second manner, different from the firstmanner, for providing a second communication service of the firstplurality of communication services.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the second circuitry (e.g.,Fixed Circuitry 222 and/or Optimizable Circuitry 224) is operable,independent of the first PHY layer 210, to provide any of at least asecond plurality of communication services through one or more types ofcommunication network. Operation of the second circuitry (e.g., theOptimizable Circuitry 224) may be optimizable in a third manner forproviding a third communication service of the second plurality ofcommunication services and optimizable in a fourth manner, differentfrom the third manner, for providing a fourth communication service ofthe second plurality of communication services. Note that the secondplurality of communication services may comprise some or all of thefirst plurality of communication services of the first non-limitingexemplary scenario discussed above.

In an additional non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable in thefirst manner for providing the first communication service through afirst type of communication network, and operation of the firstcircuitry may be optimizable in the second manner for providing thesecond communication service through the first type of communicationnetwork. In such an exemplary scenario, a same type of communicationnetwork (e.g., the exact same communication network or anothercommunication network of the same type) may be utilized to provide thefirst communication service and the second communication service (e.g.,of a different type than the first communication service).

In a further non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable in thefirst manner for providing the first communication service through afirst type of communication network, and operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable in amanner different from the first manner for providing the firstcommunication service through a second type of communication network. Insuch an exemplary scenario, the type of communication network may affectoptimization of the first circuitry as well as the particularcommunication service.

In a yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable in thefirst manner for providing the first communication service through afirst type of communication network, and operation of the firstcircuitry may be optimizable in the second manner for providing thesecond communication service through a second type of communicationnetwork. In such an exemplary scenario, the first circuitry may beflexible enough to be utilized for providing different communicationservices through different types of communication networks.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable in thefirst manner in real-time for providing the first communication service,and operation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in the secondmanner in real-time for providing the second communication service. Insuch an exemplary scenario, optimizable PHY circuitry may be optimizedin real-time as needed (e.g., in response to a change in communicationservice, a change in communication network or a change in any of avariety of communication conditions).

In an additional non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable inreal-time during a first time period for providing the firstcommunication service through a first communication network, andoperation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in real-time duringa second time period for providing the first communication servicethrough a communication network different from the first communicationnetwork. In such an exemplary scenario, PHY layer circuit optimizationmay, for example, change in response to a change in communicationnetwork.

In a further non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable inreal-time during a first time period for providing the firstcommunication service through the first communication network, andoperation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in real-time duringa second time period for continuing to provide the first communicationservice (e.g., an on-going communication service) through acommunication network different from the first communication network. Insuch an exemplary scenario, PHY layer circuit optimization may change,for example, in response to a change in communication network during theperformance of a single communication service. For example, a user of anMCD may move from a coverage area associated with a first communicationnetwork to a coverage area associated with a second communicationnetwork while continuing to utilize the MCD for a particularcommunication service.

In a still further non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of thefirst circuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable inreal-time during a first time period for providing the firstcommunication service through the first communication network, andoperation of the second circuitry may be optimizable in real-time duringa second time period for providing the third communication servicethrough the first communication network. For example, differentindependent optimizable PHY layers may be utilized to provide differentcommunication services through a same communication network.

In yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, operation of the firstcircuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may be optimizable inreal-time for providing the first communication service through a firstcommunication network in response to execution of an applicationcorresponding to the first communication service. For example, asdiscussed previously, application instructions that may be executed toprovide a communication service may be utilized to initiate or performoptimization of various PHY layer or PHY+ layer circuitry.

In an additional non-limiting exemplary scenario, an MCD (e.g., MCD 200)may comprise a first application corresponding to the firstcommunication service, the first application comprising applicationprogram interface (“API”) commands for optimizing first PHY layercircuitry in real-time. For example, as discussed previously, acommunication service application may link to and/or be compiled withinstructions that, when executed, effect particular PHY layer circuitoptimizations.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first circuitry (e.g.,Optimizable Circuitry 214) may comprise decoder (or encoder) circuitrythat is optimizable in real-time for providing the first communicationservice. As mentioned previously, such decoder (or encoder) circuitrymay, for example, comprise selectable and/or programmable decoder (orencoder) circuitry.

In still another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first circuitry(e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may comprise amultiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) engine that is optimizable inreal-time for providing a communication service through one or morecommunication networks. Similarly, for example, the first circuitry maycomprise an optimizable FFT engine, optimizable OFDM core, etc.

In a further non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first circuitry (e.g.,Optimizable Circuitry 214) may comprise amplifier circuitry that isoptimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service.

In a still further non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first circuitry(e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may comprise buffer circuitry that isoptimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service.Also such buffer circuitry may be optimizable in real-time (ornon-real-time) for providing the first communication service through aparticular communication network. As discussed previously, various PHYlayer circuitry optimizations may depend on various communicationnetwork characteristics as well as various communication servicecharacteristics.

In yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the MCD 200 may comprisea power control module communicatively coupled to the first PHY layer210, where the power control module is optimizable in real-time inaccordance with a plurality of different communication services. Asmentioned previously, particular communication services may be more orless compatible with particular power managing (e.g., power-saving)techniques.

In a further non-limiting exemplary scenario, the MCD 200 may comprise(e.g., in the PHY+ layers 230) a CODEC module communicatively coupled tothe first PHY layer 210, where the CODEC module is optimizable inreal-time in accordance with a plurality of different communicationservices. As mentioned previously, particular communication services maycorrespond to particular CODEC operation. Such a CODEC module may, forexample, comprise selectable CODECs, or portions thereof, or aprogrammable CODEC. For example and without limitation, a first voicecommunication service and a second voice communication service mayutilize different CODECs.

In an additional non-limiting exemplary scenario, the MCD 200 maycomprise (e.g., in the PHY+ layers 230) an anti-jitter modulecommunicatively coupled to the first PHY layer 210, where theanti-jitter module is optimizable in real-time in accordance with aplurality of different communication services. For example and withoutlimitation, a first video communication service (e.g., a movie providingservice) may have relatively strict anti-jitter requirements, while asecond video communication service (e.g., a person-to-person relativelyslow-scan videophone service) may have relatively loose anti-jitterrequirements.

As mentioned previously, there are a variety of communication servicesthat may be provided through a variety of communication networks. In yetanother non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first communication servicecorresponds to a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) service, and thesecond communication service corresponds to a non-VoIP voice service.For example and without limitation, a non-VoIP voice service maycorrespond to a cellular telephone communication service or a directunit-to-unit voice communication service or a POTS telephone service.

In still another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the firstcommunication service corresponds to a first VoIP service, and thesecond communication service corresponds to a second VoIP servicedifferent from the first VoIP service. For example, all VoIPcommunication services are not the same. A first VoIP service maycorrespond to a particular PHY layer optimization, and a second VoIPservice may correspond to a different PHY layer optimization.

As mentioned previously, the first and second (or other) PHY layers maybe independent and may be utilized simultaneously. In a non-limitingexemplary scenario, the MCD 200 may provide a first VoIP communicationservice through a first communication network (e.g., an 802.11 hotspotcoupled to the Internet) and a second non-VoIP voice communicationservice through a second communication network (e.g., the cellularnetwork). The MCD 200 may further provide such first VoIP and secondnon-VoIP voice communication services simultaneously (e.g., in athree-way or teleconferencing scenario). In such a scenario, eachcorresponding PHY layer may comprise circuitry optimized for eachrespective VoIP and non-VoIP communication service.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first communicationservice may correspond to an audio service, and a third communicationservice (e.g., provided through the second PHY layer) may correspond toa video service.

As discussed previously, various PHY layer circuitry may be optimized tocommunicate with particular communication networks as well as to provideparticular communication services. For example, in the exemplary MCD200, the first circuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) may beoptimizable to provide the first communication service through acomputer network, and the second circuitry (e.g., the OptimizableCircuitry 224) may be optimizable to provide at least one communicationservice through a cellular communication network.

In a further non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first PHY layer 210may comprise first circuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214) optimizedin a first manner to provide a first communication service through afirst communication network, and the second PHY layer 220, operableindependent of the first PHY layer 210, may comprise second circuitry(e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 224) optimized in a second manner,different from the first manner, to provide a second communicationservice through the first communication network. For example, the firstPHY layer 210 and the second PHY layer 220 may be optimized to providerespective communication services through the first communicationnetwork serially or in parallel (concurrently or simultaneously).

In a still further non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first PHY layer210 may comprise first circuitry (e.g., Optimizable Circuitry 214)optimized in a first manner to provide a first communication servicethrough a first communication network, and the second PHY layer 220 maycomprise second circuitry (e.g. Optimizable Circuitry 224) optimized ina second manner, different from the first manner, to provide a secondcommunication service through a second communication network.

The previously presented non-limiting exemplary scenarios illustratevarious aspects of the present invention. Such non-limiting exemplaryscenarios do not represent an exclusive list of embodiments and/oraspects of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of the previous exemplary illustrations unlessexplicitly claimed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary mobilecommunication device 500, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The exemplary mobile communication device (“MCD”) 500may, for example and without limitation, share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary MCDs 100, 200 illustrated in FIGS.1-2 and discussed previously, and with exemplary PHY layer receivingcircuitry 300 or PHY layer transmitting circuitry 400 illustrated inFIGS. 3-4 and discussed previously.

For example, the exemplary MCD 500 may comprise any of a variety ofcommunication interface modules 510, a wireless front end 505 and awired/tethered front end 506, which may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the exemplary first PHYlayer 210, second PHY layer 220 and PHY+ layers 230 of the exemplary MCD200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. Also for example,the MCD 500 may comprise a processor 560 and memory 550, which may, forexample and without limitation, execute and store executableinstructions to implement various functionality discussed previously.

The exemplary MCD 500 is illustrated with a non-limiting exemplary setof communication interface modules 510, including: a Bluetooth interfacemodule, IEEE 802.11 interface module, IEEE 802.15 interface module, IEEE802.16 interface module, IEEE 802.20 interface module, GSM/GPRS/EDGEinterface module, CDMA/CDMA2000/WCDMA interface module, TDMA/PDCinterface module, H.323 interface module, SIP interface module,MGCP/MEGACO interface module, modem module, USB module, fire wire moduleand memory interface module (e.g., for interfacing with off-board orremovable memory).

Further for example, the exemplary MCD 500 may comprise any of a varietyof signal processing modules 530, which may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the PHY+ layers 230and/or the application layer 240 of the exemplary MCD 200 illustrated inFIG. 2 and discussed previously.

The exemplary mobile communication device 500 is illustrated with anon-limiting exemplary set of signal processing modules 530, which maybe selectively utilized in accordance with current signal processingneeds. The signal processing modules 530 may, for example, comprisevarious video, audio (e.g., VoIP), textual, graphical and tactilesignal-processing modules. The signal processing modules 530 maygenerally, for example, process information conveyed between the frontends 505 and 506 and communication interface module(s) 510 of the MCD500 and the user interface module(s) 540 of the mobile communicationdevice 500.

Still further for example, the exemplary MCD 500 may comprise any of avariety of user interface modules 540, at least some of which may beoptimizable in accordance with various communication services. The userinterface module(s) 540 may, for example and without limitation,comprise any of a variety of video/graphics processing modules, audioprocessing modules, and tactile signal processing modules. The mobilecommunication device 500 may also comprise compatible user interfacedevices corresponding to the various user interface module(s) 540 (e.g.,a video display, camera, speaker, microphone, touch screen, keypad,vibrator, etc.). Such user interface modules 540 and/or user interfacedevices may generally correspond to various communication services thatmay be provided to a user by the MCD 500.

The exemplary MCD 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 was presented to illustratea portion of generally broader aspects of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of the exemplary illustration.

The exemplary mobile communication devices 100, 200 and 500 of FIGS. 1,2 and 5, which may include at least portions of the exemplary receiver300 and transmitter 400 circuitry of FIGS. 3 and 4 and discussedpreviously were presented to provide non-limiting exemplaryillustrations of various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly,the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not belimited by characteristics of the exemplary mobile communication devicesand/or receiver or transmitter circuitry.

Various aspects of the present invention have been described above withthe aid of functional (or communication layer) building blocksillustrating the performance of certain significant functions (orcommunication layers). The boundaries of these blocks and relationshipsbetween various blocks have been defined and/or presented forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries or relationships couldbe defined so long as the certain significant functions areappropriately performed. Such alternate boundaries or relationships arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Additionally,the functional (or communication layer) building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof. For example and without limitation, anyof the previously discussed optimizable PHY layer circuitry may beimplemented in a single integrated circuit.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary method 600, in a mobile communication device(“MCD”), for utilizing one or more optimizable physical layers toprovide one or more communication services, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 600 may, forexample and without limitation, share any or all functionalcharacteristics with the exemplary mobile communication devices 100, 200and 500 and with various components of the exemplary PHY layer receivingcircuitry 300 and transmitting circuitry 400 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5and discussed previously. The exemplary method 600 may, for example, beimplemented in any of the mobile communication devices 100, 200 and 500discussed previously.

A mobile communication device may, for example, implement the exemplarymethod 600. Such a mobile communication device may comprisecharacteristics of any of a variety of types of mobile communicationdevices, non-limiting examples of which were presented previously. Themobile communication device may, for example, be capable of providingvarious communication services through various communication networks.

The exemplary method 600 may begin executing at step 610. The exemplarymethod 600 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causesor conditions. For example, the exemplary method 600 may begin executingin response to a power-up or reset condition of a mobile communicationdevice implementing the method 600. Also for example, the exemplarymethod 600 may begin executing in response to a user input indicatingthe user desires to initiate a communication service and/or explorevarious communication options (e.g., by perusing and selecting from menuof communication service options).

The exemplary method 600 may, at step 620, comprise initiating acommunication service. Such initiation may occur in response to any of avariety of causes or conditions. For example and without limitation,initiation may occur in response to a user input or other input to theMCD. Also for example, such initiation may occur upon execution of anapplication corresponding to a particular communication service.Additionally for example, such initiation may occur in response toexecution of a particular portion of an application corresponding to aparticular communication service.

The exemplary method 600 may, at step 630, comprise determining whetherPHY layer optimization is appropriate. For example, step 630 maycomprise determining whether there is a particular PHY layeroptimization that corresponds to a particular communication service(e.g., the communication service initiated at step 620). For example,one or more particular communication services might utilize a generalPHY layer configuration, and one or more particular other communicationservices might utilize an optimized PHY layer configuration. Determiningwhether PHY layer optimization is appropriate in a particularcommunication service scenario may comprise considering any of a varietyof factors, including but not limited to, communication service type,communication network type, the optimizability of various PHY layercircuits in the MCD, etc.

The determination of whether PHY layer optimization is currentlyappropriate may also comprise considering the present optimization stateof various optimizable PHY layer circuits. For example, if the PHY layerof interest is already in an optimized state desired for a particularcommunication service, then no further optimization activity isnecessary.

If it is determined (e.g., at step 630) that PHY layer optimization isappropriate for a communication service, then execution flow controlblock 640 directs execution of the method 600 to step 650. If, however,it is determined (e.g., at step 630) that PHY layer optimization is notappropriate for a communication service, then execution flow controlblock 640 directs execution of the method 600 to skip step 650.

The exemplary method 600, at step 650, may comprise optimizing operationof the PHY layer (e.g., optimizing optimizable circuitry in the PHYlayer) for providing a particular communication service (e.g., thecommunication service initiated at step 620). Step 650 may compriseperforming any of a variety of PHY layer optimizations. For example andwithout limitation, the previous discussions of FIGS. 1-5 providenon-exclusive examples of a variety of PHY layer optimizations.

The exemplary method 600, at step 660, may comprise providing acommunication service. For example, step 660 may comprise providing thecommunication service initiated at step 620, for which PHY layercircuitry was optimized at step 650. As discussed previously in thediscussion of FIGS. 1-5, a communication service may be provided throughany of a variety of communication networks.

Flow control block 670 may comprise directing execution flow of theexemplary method 600 based on whether a change in communication serviceand/or network has occurred. For example, a user or the MCD may initiatea different communication service and/or may utilize a differentcommunication network. If there has been no change in communicationservice and/or network, flow control block 670 may loop back up to step660 for continued provision of the present communication service. Ifthere has been a change in communication service and/or network, flowcontrol block 670 may direct execution flow to flow control block 680.

Flow control block 680 may comprise direction execution flow of theexemplary method 600 based on whether the change in communicationservice and/or network corresponds to ending the communication service.If so, then flow control block 680 directs execution of the method 600to step 690 for stopping the communication service.

If the communication service is not ending (e.g., there is either achange to a different communication service and/or a change incommunication network, but not an end of service), then flow controlblock 680 directs execution flow of the method 600 to step 695. Theexemplary method 600, at step 695, may comprise performing variouscommunication activities associated with a change in communicationservice and/or network. For example and without limitation, step 695 maycomprise establishing communication pathways corresponding to thedesired communication service. Such communication pathway establishmentmay, for example, comprise the establishment of appropriatecommunication links with a communication network and various set-upactivities associated with communication stack management at the MCD.

Execution flow of the exemplary method flows from step 695 back to step630 for a new determination of whether PHY optimization activity isappropriate in view of the change in communication service and/ornetwork, and continued method execution from step 630.

Note that various activities illustrated in the exemplary method 600need not be performed in a particular order. For example and withoutlimitation, activities associated with initiating a communicationservice and/or changing communication service or network may beperformed concurrently with various PHY layer optimization activities.

As discussed previously, aspects of the exemplary method 600 may beimplemented in a mobile communication device, such as, for example,those mobile communication devices 100, 200 and 500 discussedpreviously. The following discussion will further illustrate variousaspects of the present invention by way of non-limiting illustrativeexemplary scenarios.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, various aspects of the presentinvention may be implemented in a mobile communication device having afirst PHY layer comprising first circuitry operable to provide any of atleast a first plurality of communication services through one or moretypes of communication network, and a second PHY layer comprising secondcircuitry operable, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide atleast one communication service through one or more types ofcommunication network. The exemplary method 600 may (e.g., at step 650)comprise optimizing operation of the first circuitry (e.g., optimizablePHY layer circuitry) in a first manner for providing a firstcommunication service of the first plurality of communication services,and optimizing operation of the first circuitry in a second manner,different from the first manner, for providing a second communicationservice of the first plurality of communication services.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario (e.g., where the secondcircuitry is operable to provide any of at least a second plurality ofcommunication services through one or more types of communicationnetwork), the exemplary method 600 may (e.g., at step 650) comprisingoptimizing operation of the second circuitry in a third manner forproviding a third communication service of the second plurality ofcommunication services, and optimizing operation of the second circuitryin a fourth manner, different from the third manner, for providing afourth communication service of the second plurality of communicationservices.

In yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the exemplary method 600may (e.g., at step 650) comprise optimizing operation of the firstcircuitry in a first manner by, at least in part, optimizing operationof the first circuitry for providing the first communication servicethrough a first type of communication network, and optimizing operationof the first circuitry in a second manner by, at least in part,optimizing operation of the first circuitry for providing the secondcommunication service through the first type of communication network.

In still another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the exemplary method600 may (e.g., at step 650) comprise optimizing operation of the firstcircuitry in the first manner for providing the first communicationservice through a first type of communication network, and optimizingoperation of the first circuitry in a manner different from the firstmanner for providing the first communication service through a secondtype of communication network.

In another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the exemplary method 600 may(e.g., at step 650) comprise optimizing operation of the first circuitryin a first manner by, at least in part, optimizing operation of thefirst circuitry for providing the first communication service through afirst type of communication network, and optimizing operation of thefirst circuitry in a second manner by, at least in part, optimizingoperation of the first circuitry for providing the second communicationservice through a second type of communication network.

In yet another non-limiting exemplary scenario, the exemplary method 600may (e.g., at step 650) comprise optimizing operation of the firstcircuitry in a first manner by, at least in part, optimizing operationof the first circuitry in real-time for providing the firstcommunication service, and optimizing operation of the first circuitryin a second manner, different from the first manner, by, at least inpart, optimizing operation of the first circuitry in real-time forproviding the second communication service.

The exemplary method 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 was presented to providenon-limiting exemplary illustrations of various functional aspects ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by specific characteristics ofthe exemplary method 600 unless explicitly claimed.

Various aspects of the present invention have been described above withthe aid of functional (or protocol) blocks and method steps illustratingthe performance of specified circuits, protocol layers, functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these blocks andmethod steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience ofdescription. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so longas the specified functions and relationships are appropriatelyperformed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus withinthe scope and spirit of various aspects of the present invention.

In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a systemand method in a mobile communication device for providing and/orutilizing multiple independent optimized physical layers to providecommunication services. While the invention has been described withreference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of theinvention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, butthat the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scopeof the appended claims.

1. A mobile communication device, comprising: a first PHY layer comprising first circuitry configured to provide any of at least a first plurality of communication services through one or more types of communication networks using at least one of a plurality of performance characteristics; a second PHY layer comprising second circuitry configured, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide at least one communication service through one or more types of communication networks; wherein operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in a first manner for providing a first communication service of the first plurality of communication services through a first type of communication network using at least a first set of the plurality of performance characteristics, and optimizable in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services through the first type of communication network using at least a second set of the plurality of performance characteristics; wherein operation of the second circuitry is optimizable in a third manner for providing a third communication service of a second plurality of communication services through a second type of communication network, and optimizable in a fourth manner, different from the third manner, for providing a fourth communication service of the second plurality of communication services through the second type of communication network; and a CODEC module, comprising one or more of selectable CODECs or programmable CODECs, communicatively coupled to the first or the second PHY layer, wherein circuitry of the CODEC module is optimizable in accordance with the first or the second plurality of communication services that correspond to respective operations of the CODEC module.
 2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in the first manner for providing the first communication service through the second type of communication network; and operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in the second manner for providing the second communication service through the second type of communication network.
 3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in the first manner in real-time for providing the first communication service; and operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in the second manner in real-time for providing the second communication service.
 4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a first time period for providing the first communication service through the first communication network; and operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a second time period for providing the first communication service through a communication network different from the first communication network.
 5. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a first time period for providing the first communication service through the first communication network; and operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a second time period for providing the second communication service through a communication network different from the first communication network.
 6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: operation of the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a first time period for providing the first communication service through the first communication network; and operation of the second circuitry is optimizable in real-time during a second time period for providing the third communication service through the first communication network.
 7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry is optimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service through the first communication network in response to execution of a software application corresponding to the first communication service.
 8. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a first application corresponding to the first communication service, the first application comprising application program interface (API) commands for optimizing the first circuitry in real-time.
 9. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry comprises decoder circuitry that is optimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service.
 10. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry comprises a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) engine that is optimizable in real-time for providing a communication service through one or more communication networks or an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) engine that is optimizable in real-time for providing a communication service through one or more communication networks.
 11. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry comprises amplifier circuitry that is optimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service.
 12. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry comprises buffer circuitry that is optimizable in real-time for providing a selected communication service.
 13. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the buffer circuitry is optimizable in real-time for providing the first communication service through a selected communication network.
 14. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a power control module communicatively coupled to the first PHY layer, where the power control module is optimizable in real-time in accordance with a plurality of different communication services.
 15. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-jitter module communicatively coupled to the first PHY layer, where the anti-jitter module is optimizable in real-time in accordance with a plurality of different communication services.
 16. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first communication service corresponds to a Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; and the second communication service corresponds to a non-VoIP voice service.
 17. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first communication service corresponds to a first VoIP service; and the second communication service corresponds to a second VoIP service different from the first VoIP service.
 18. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first communication service corresponds to a VoIP service; and the third communication service comprises a non-VoIP voice service.
 19. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first communication service corresponds to an audio service; and the third communication service corresponds to a video service.
 20. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein: the first circuitry is optimizable to provide the first communication service through a computer network; and the second circuitry is optimizable to provide at least one communication service through a cellular communication network.
 21. In a mobile communication device having a first PHY layer comprising first circuitry configured to provide any of at least a first plurality of communication services through one or more types of communication networks, and a second PHY layer comprising second circuitry configured, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide a second plurality communication services through one or more types of communication networks, a method comprising: optimizing operation of the first circuitry in a first manner for providing a first communication service of the first plurality of communication services through a first type of communication network using at least a first set of a plurality of performance characteristics; optimizing operation of the first circuitry in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services through the first type of communication network using at least a second set of the plurality of performance characteristics; optimizing operation of the second circuitry in a third manner for providing a third communication service of the second plurality of communication services through a second type of communication network; optimizing operation of the second circuitry in a fourth manner, different from the third manner, for providing a fourth communication service of the second plurality of communication services through the second type of communication network; and optimizing a CODEC module of the mobile communication device by selecting or programming, respectively, one or more of selectable CODECs or programmable CODECs, wherein circuitry of the CODEC module is optimizable in accordance with the first or the second plurality of communication services that correspond to respective operations of the CODEC module.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein: optimizing operation of the first circuitry in the first manner comprises optimizing operation of the first circuitry for providing the first communication service through the second type of communication network; and optimizing operation of the first circuitry in the second manner comprises optimizing operation of the first circuitry for providing the second communication service through the second type of communication network.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein: optimizing operation of the first circuitry in the first manner comprises optimizing operation of the first circuitry in real-time for providing the first communication service; and optimizing operation of the first circuitry in the second manner, different from the first manner, comprises optimizing operation of the first circuitry in real-time for providing the second communication service.
 24. A method caused by a multi-media provider that communicates data from the multi-media provider through a network to a mobile communication device, the method comprising: optimizing operation of a first circuitry of a first PHY layer in a first manner for providing a first communication service of a first plurality of communication services through a first type of communication network using at least a first set of a plurality of performance characteristics; optimizing operation of the first circuitry in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services through the first type of communication network using at least a second set of the plurality of performance characteristics; optimizing operation of a second circuitry of a second PHY layer, independent of the first PHY layer, in a third manner for providing a third communication service of a second plurality of communication services through a second type of communication network; optimizing operation of the second circuitry in a fourth manner, different from the third manner, for providing a fourth communication service of the second plurality of communication services through the second type of communication network; and optimizing a CODEC module by selecting or programming, respectively, one or more of selectable CODECs or programmable CODECs, where the CODEC module is communicatively coupled to the first PHY layer or the second PHY layer, and wherein circuitry of the CODEC module is optimizable in accordance with the first or the second plurality of communication services that correspond to respective operations of the CODEC module.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the first or the second circuitry or a processor of the mobile communication device executes executable instructions for controlling the optimization of the CODEC module.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first or the second circuitry or a processor of the mobile communication device executes executable instructions for controlling the optimization of the CODEC module.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the first or the second circuitry or a processor of the mobile communication device executes executable instructions for controlling the optimization of the CODEC module. 